The Marine Museum at Fall River is a cultural gem and contains a wealth of Fall River Maritime History especially Steam Ship and Titanic memorabilia. Discover the art, books, models and many treasures the Marine Museum holds. This is a must see
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The Marine Museum at Fall River is a cultural gem and contains a wealth of Fall River Maritime History especially Steam Ship and Titanic memorabilia. Discover the art, books, models and many treasures the Marine Museum holds. This is a must see resource for landlubbers and mariners alike.

Carol Gafford is a public librarian, family historian, amateur archivist and book savior. She is currently the youth services/outreach librarian at the Swansea Public Library and volunteers for several museum and historical societies including the Marine Museum at Fall River, the Swansea Historical Society and the Bristol Historical and Preservation society. She is the editor of Past Times, the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists and is always looking for a new project to take on.

The Bay State Auto Club auto show is always a trip back in time (Peerless Automobile Collection)

Some of the best rare classic cars turn out the Annual Bay State Auto Show at Dedham's Endicott Estate on East St. in Dedham year after year. Many are the rarest classic cars we've ever seen.

We spoke to Jon Elmendorf of the Heritage Museum in Sandwich who trailered up a 1910 Peerless roadster. Heritage acquired this car in 1969 as it was part of a core collection owned by the Lilly Foundation (Lilly Pharmaceuticals). The rare car is powered by a 4 cylinder T Head engine and was manufactured in Cleveland, Ohio.

"We activated this car recently that was kept in storage. We try to do one every

year," explained Elmendorf. "Peerless went out of the automobile business in 1931 and went into the brewery business marketing Carlings Black Label beer when Proabition was repealed in 1932."

Parked next to the Peerless under the portico of the Endicott mansion was a 1932 Buick Coupe 96 owned by Steve Goodman of Canton who acquired it in 1979. "The car came from Georgia and was restored by Tom Jones. I also did a motor restoration on this car," said Goodman. He revealed that it took top awards in the Buick National show two years ago.

Goodman takes this automobile to other shows all over the country. "This automobile was a favorite of doctors of that era who visited the homes of patients, and it was very reliable at the time." According to the owner, this classic car is valued at between $55,000 to $85,000, depending on condition. "I also have a '33 LaSalle that I left at home in my garage," he said.

We traveled though half of the outstanding show on the north side of the estate where all makes of beautiful cars were on display. We also watched as one car after another were checked in by Boston's John Diamond, a pillar of the Bay State Auto Club. Diamond is the "go to" guy if you are into Cadillac's. He's got a nice collection of his own, and according to sources, he's the one to see should you be searching for parts for those old Caddys.

We also took in the show's flea market with a huge display of old parts, auto related magazines, manuals and various other collectables, all having to do with classic and racing cars as well. Up on the shady hill behind the mansion, we found the For Sale Corral where cars of various prices could be purchased.

At the entrance there was even an interesting collection of hot rods and race cars. The latter were some of the best from the NEAR and STAR clubs of New England. John Diamond does an admirable job of getting more types of race cars to display at his annual show.

A few years ago, the host club began another show as well this one limiting entries from 1945 and prior. Also by popular demand, the club added the Chrome and Fins Show assembled close to East St. featuring cars loaded with - you guessed it - chrome and fins. Both of these shows are held annually in mid-September.